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European Association
of Environmental and Resource Economists
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EAERE President's Commentary
N.1 - August 2004
Colleagues,
This is the first of a series of monthly commentaries in which I'll let you know what's happening with your association, what's in prospect, and provide some self indulgent personal reflections.
The EAERE Annual Conference
Academic life is characteristically more backstabbing than backslapping. But I like to think that our annual meetings are more of the latter than the former; great minds meet those of us who are less well endowed without a hint of hierarchy or patronisation; barriers of age, status and national and social distinction disappear for 3 days; knowledge and insight are in the atmosphere and receptive osmosis does the rest; lovers fall more deeply in love, and those looking for love can find it.
In this noble tradition, we had our 13th annual meeting this year in Budapest with a wonderfully diverse menu of intellectual richness and social engagement. This was served with efficiency and élan in a university and city steeped in the artefacts, grandeur and atmosphere of empire, humanised by the oppressions, struggles and ultimate liberation that followed.
That this was such a success is due to the participants, the EAERE secretariat, and the organisers. Some participants encountered initial delays in learning about whether papers were accepted and difficulties in paying; but over 300 persisted, overcame transactions costs and got there on time and in good order. The EAERE Secretariat, in the person of our new Secretary General, Monica Eberle, did two things without which we would have been struggling; she provided instant and informed feedback and reassurance to those many who were beginning to panic; she set up a payment by credit card facility that ensured cash flow and financial viability. This latter involved among many other tasks identifying those whose optimism in ticking the 'Yes' box re EAERE Membership belied the reality. But nothing would have succeeded without the commitment and skill of our hosts. Anyone who has hosted an EAERE conference knows the waves of panic and desperation that precede the event, and the veneer of calm and order that is necessary as the conference unfolds. Sandor Kerekes and his team of graduate students at the Budapest University of Economic Science and Public Administration did a truly heroic job in pulling several irons out of the fire and providing an event that was logistically flawless, exuding an atmosphere of efficiency, friendliness and conviviality that delivered a great experience for all. The only complaint I heard, and that of dubious substance, was 'The Danube isn't blue'. If and when we return to Budapest, I expect Sandor to have put this right.
One Budapest innovation that we will carry forward: all the papers were provided to delegates on a CD. This is important as a means of efficient storage and access, but it also means that papers are 'archived', and this can be an important and useful characteristic in the ever expanding menu of quantified criteria governing promotion in academe.
Our Summer School
July 1-7, 2004Our Venice Summer School (EAERE-FEEM-VIU European Summer School in Resource and Environmental Economics) attracted a stellar team of lecturers. We are deeply grateful to Aart de Zeeuw (School Co-ordinator), Partha Dasgupta, Larry Karp, Sjak Smulders, and Tasos Xepapadeas for providing an outstanding programme on the theme: 'Dynamic Models in Economics and the Environment'. There were 22 participants working in what must be the most beautiful learning environment in the world.
Lecture notes and the papers presented by the students are available at the Summer School website: http://www.feem.it/ess04.Our Journal
Our journal continues to develop in range and quality under the skilled tutelage of Managing Editor Ian Bateman. We said goodbye to a number of Associate Editors who have been crucial in helping Ian move the journal forward. An Associate Editor's lot is not a happy one. As one of them pointed out in Budapest, 'you make nine enemies and one ingrate for every ten decisions made.' For services rendered, we thank those leaving us who have served with such distinction. These are: M. de Clercq, O. Eismont, E. Gerelli, W. Hafkamp, H.W. Herzog, M.A. Jama, G. Muraro, M. Simai and U.E. Simonis. Those joining us now are: Anna Alberini, W. Michael Hanemann, Nick Hanley, Daniel Kahnemann, John Loomis, Gregory Poe and Laura O. Taylor.
We are providing free Membership of EAERE to those who take on this crucial but difficult task, which combines with free journal subscriptions provided by Kluwer to comprise a tiny token of esteem and thanks.
We need your feedback on Membership and Journal preferences
By a decision of a previous council, membership of EAERE and purchase of the journal (hard copies) are bundled. At the suggestion of Cees Withagen, and with the agreement of Henny Hoogervorst of Kluwer/Springer and the EAERE Council, we have re-visited this decision. For 2005 we are providing new and continuing Members with three mutually exclusive options:
1. EAERE membership bundled with journal delivery (hard copy) - Cost € 115.50 (or €86.50 for reduced membership fees)
2. EAERE membership bundled with pass word protected electronic access to journal - Cost € 115.50 (or €86.50 for reduced membership fees)
3. EAERE membership on its own (no journal) - Cost € 41.00 (or €12.00 for reduced membership fees)Option 1 caters for those who prefer to continue to receive hard copies.
Option 2 caters for those who prefer electronic access
Option 3 caters for those who have other access to our journal, and want their Membership separated there from.Kluwer needs to know at latest by October 1st 2004 how many hard copies to order for 2005.
This requires that you immediately tell us what your preference is between options one two and three. Don't delay. If you have not already indicated your preference to Monica (monica.eberle@feem.it) do so before finishing reading this commentary.
In future commentaries, I'll discuss our plans for the future, which include recognition of life time achievement, and the contribution of policy and business practitioners who apply our ideas, the introduction of evidence based and regional themes in our annual conference, the widening of our funding base, the need to energise funding for environmental and economics research by the European Commission, the development of our communications, including the Newsletter under the leadership of Council Member Katrin Millock, and our website under the leadership of Monica Eberle, the provision of services for Members. Our next Council meeting takes place in Paris in early November. If you have any suggestions or agenda items you would like discussed at the meeting, get in touch with Monica (monica.eberle@feem.it). I guarantee that your input will not be ignored.
From anecdote to generalisation: A few weeks ago, I passed through Copenhagen airport, connecting to a flight to Goteborg. The café in this 'holding zone' would take Euros or US dollars, but only notes, and would provide the change only in Danish kroner. In contrast, at the airport in Budapest, the café accepted Euros both in coins and notes, and (on request) provided the change in Euro also. Well done Budapest for taking consumer needs seriously. Wake up Copenhagen.
A favourite quote: Get Your Tongue Outta My Mouth 'Cause I'm Kissing You Goodbye (title of US Country Song).
Frank J. Convery
EAERE President
Past Correspondence
